Ergonis just released Typinator 5, their text expansion app. The major new feature is undoubtedly scripting support, which enables users to create generic and versatile text snippets. Using a simple inclusion mechanism based on files in an “Include” folder, text expansions can execute external scripts and include their results in the expansion. But that’s not all.

IconFactory and Artis Software have just released their designer tool xScope 3. xScope 3 has become a power tool for everybody involved with graphic and web design. Except for the tools that have been supported since version 2, this new version comes with about 70 new or improved features. xScope has also become the tool of choice for mobile design.

At CES, a large number of companies were introducing their Thunderbolt devices. As with previous innovative interface technology that Apple pioneered, the equipment was a bit slow to appear, but 2012 seems to be the year of Thunderbolt.

A map of a country in a paper atlas. That’s approximately how the 45+ of us imagine cartography, but in recent years maps have become more like visually rich compasses in a smartphone or a car GPS device. Maps were once designed by graphic designers. Today, they still are, but designers better make themselves familiar with GIS, polygon division, database linking, and other disciplines that have nothing to do with design.

Elgato is announcing the Elgato Thunderbolt SSD, a portable high-speed storage solution. The Elgato Thunderbolt SSD combines a fast and reliable solid-state drive with Thunderbolt technology. Housed in a nicely designed metal enclosure, the high-speed drive draws its power directly through the Thunderbolt port without needing a separate power supply. The device will be available in February.

[expires off=”2012-01-06 18:00:00″]UPDATED —[/expires] The Sonnet Thunderbolt adapter makes use of ExpressCard/34 technology to interface with existing devices. There are ExpressCards for FireWire 800, USB 2 and 3, eSATA, and even ones to quickly offload CompactFlash cards and other media.